Page 38 of Unlocking Melodies

“Can't walk away again?” Jake supplied. His tone was gentler now, but no less probing. “Even though he doesn't remember what you're trying to make up for?”

“Especially because of that.”

He nodded slowly, like I'd confirmed something. “You know we're looking into everyone from his past.”

“I assumed as much.”

“And you'll cooperate? Even if the questions get... personal?”

“I'll tell you anything that helps find who hurt him.”

“Good.” He stood, signaling the end of our conversation. “Because I have a feeling this goes deeper than a random attack. And Mr. Cole?” His expression hardened slightly. “If I find out you're not being straight with me about any of this...”

“You don't need to finish that threat, Sheriff. I'm not here to hurt him.”

“No,” he agreed. “But you did once. And this time he's got a whole town watching out for him.”

"Liam told me some of what happened," I said carefully. "About finding Jimmy at the ranch gates. About your deputy Ramirez being involved."

Jake's expression shifted. "But not everything." He leaned forward, studying my reaction. "Want to know what I can't figure out? Why Ramirez was so interested in Jimmy's past. Kept asking questions about his connections outside of town."

My hands clenched involuntarily. This was new information - worse than what Liam had shared.

"He was looking into Jimmy's background?"

"For weeks before the attack." Jake watched my reaction carefully. "Interesting timing, wouldn't you say? And now here you are."

"You think I had something to do with-" The suggestion made my voice crack. "I didn't even know where he was until Liam called about the attack."

Something in my reaction made Jake pause. He sat back, reassessing. "No," he said finally. "I don't think you did. That's genuine distress I'm seeing. But you're connected to this somehow, even if you don't know it yet."

A commotion outside his office interrupted us. Through the blinds, I could see Jimmy at the front desk, apparentlythere to file paperwork. He was chatting with the staff, that natural warmth evident even without his memories. Something about watching him - alive, safe, making people smile despite everything - made my chest tight.

Jake observed my expression with growing understanding. "Let me be clear about something," he said quietly. "Jimmy's one of ours now. Memory or not, we protect our own. Whatever history you two have? Make sure it doesn't hurt him this time."

I left the station, only to nearly collide with Jimmy himself in the lobby.

"Mr. Cole," he said, then caught himself. "Ethan. Sorry - still getting used to the first-name basis thing."

His smile was genuine, nothing like yesterday's polite distance. Something in my chest loosened.

"Everything okay?" he asked, gesturing to the station around us. "You're a bit far from your usual coffee shop surveillance post."

The teasing tone caught me off guard in the best way. "Just some paperwork. Small town regulations for visiting businesses." The lie felt heavy, but telling him I was being questioned about his attack felt heavier.

"Ah, more tech hub research?" His eyes sparkled with something that looked like mischief. "That's your story and you're sticking to it?"

"Religiously."

He laughed - a real laugh, not the careful one he used with strangers. "Well, since you're here and not hiding behind your laptop for once, want to grab coffee? I have questions about your coding empire."

"Only if you promise not to ask about my stock portfolio."

"Deal. Though I reserve the right to mock your coffee order."

We walked out together, and I could feel Jake watching through his office window. His warning echoed in my head: Make sure it doesn't hurt him this time.

But looking at Jimmy now, seeing him choose to know me all over again, I wondered if maybe we both had a chance at a better ending this time.

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